Drawing with Light: January 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009

Pure Photgramic Bliss:

Adam Fuss

UNTITLED, 1988
Unique gelatin silver print photogram
36 x 28 inches
91.4 x 71.1 centimeters

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

A super amazing photogramic project:

*Cut and paste into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTKyDwGU-rY

A brief description and history of photograms

As Wikipedia states:

A photogram is a photographic image made without a camera by placing objects directly onto the surface of a photo-sensitive material such as photographic paper and then exposing it to light. The result is a negative shadow image varying in tone, depending on the transparency of the objects used. Areas of the paper that have received no light appear white; those exposed through transparent or semi-transparent objects appear grey.^[1]

This method of imaging is perhaps most prominently attributed to Man Ray and his exploration of rayographs. Others who have experimented with the technique include László Moholy-Nagy, Christian Schad (who called them "Schadographs"), Imogen Cunningham and even Pablo Picasso.^{[citation needed]}

Man Ray's rayographs

Photograms were used in the 20th Century by a number of photographers, particularly Man Ray, who called them "rayographs". His style included capitalizing on the stark and unexpected effects of negative imaging, unusual juxtapositions of identifiable objects (such as spoons and pearl necklaces), varying the exposure time given to different objects within a single image, and moving objects as they were exposed.^{[citation needed]}

Procedure

Like all photographic processes, photograms require light. The most commonly used source of light for this purpose is the enlarger used in conventional negative printing, but any light source can be used, like, for example, the sun. The figure below shows how the image is formed. In the traditional darkroom setting, the paper is held in place using a printing frame. The objects to be used in making the image are placed on top of the paper. When a suitable composition has been found, the enlarger is used to expose the paper (tests will have to be done to check the exposure time and aperture required). Finally, the paper is processed, as normal, in print-developing chemicals, and washed and dried.^{[citation needed]}

[edit]

Thursday, January 22, 2009

The Master of photograms: Mohaly-nagy

so darn good.

First Print in the New Silverton Darkroom!

Not bad but I'm excited to see what is done next week.

Welcome to the First Week of Traditional B/W Photography Class

In the upcoming weeks students will learn the functions of their camera in regards to capturing light in many situations. Through a combination of assignments and projects students will begin to hone their abilities to make striking images in the tradition of black & white darkroom processes.
The following is a rough guideline to practices, assignments and projects. With a small class we have the opportunity to explore many different aspects of photography. Once familiar with your camera and the darkroom, I hope that personal projects will be created and explored using the wonderful world of black & white photography.

Week One/ Jan. 22nd.
The anatomy of a camera.
How the aperture and shutter works.
Introduction to the darkroom.
Photogram presentation
First film assignment/ film test.

Week Two/ Jan. 29th.
Photograms/ darkroom time.
Historical photographs PowerPoint.
Film processing presentation.

Week Three/ Feb. 5th.
Short Film Screening.
Printing Demonstration.
Darkroom time.
Second film assignment.

Week Four/ Feb. 12th.
First group critique.
Darkroom time.
Contrast filter demo.

Tools of the Trade: Implements for the Photographer

35 mm camera
Preferred film stock*
Preferred photographic paper*
Paper scissors
hand towel
Apron and rubber gloves (optional)
Can of air (dust-off)
Negative sleeves (35mm)
Three ring binder to hold negatives

The material fee of $25.00 will go towards initial chemistry and start up paper. As we use this up we will all need to pitch in and replenish what was used to continue printing in the darkroom. Once familiar with the printing process some people might want to purchase different grades and sizes of paper on an individual need. In trying to cut costs of an expensive art practice I will do my best to find the best prices.

* I will go over certain types of papers and films and a good online store for purchasing them.

Drawing with Light